China's high-speed rail network has taken another step forward as the Nanning-Zhuhai high-speed railway (Nanzhu HSR) began joint commissioning and testing on the Yulin North to Cenxi East section on September 11, according to IThome, citing China Railway. The testing train, number 55009, departed from Yulin North Station at 8:00 a.m., marking the start of the final phase before the line's commercial opening.
The new section spans approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) and is designed for a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). It runs east from Yulin North Station through Beiliu City and Rong County in Yulin, ending at Cenxi East Station in Wuzhou City's Cenxi. The route includes two newly built stations: Rongxian South and Cenxi East. At Yulin North, it connects to the Nanning-Yulin section of the Nanzhu HSR, which has been in operation since December 2024.
What is joint commissioning and testing?
Joint commissioning and testing is a critical phase before a high-speed railway opens to passengers. During this period, railway authorities use special testing trains and equipment to verify the functionality, performance, and status of all systems—including track, signaling, electrification, and communications—and to check how these systems interact. The goal is to fine-tune and optimize the entire system so that it meets design standards and can operate safely at its intended speed.
This process typically involves multiple stages, starting with low-speed runs and gradually increasing to the design speed, while technicians monitor data and make adjustments. Once testing is complete, the line undergoes a trial operation period before official opening.
For the Nanzhu HSR, this testing phase is a significant milestone. The railway is part of China's expanding high-speed network, which aims to connect major cities across the country with fast, efficient rail service. The Nanning-Zhuhai line will eventually link the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's capital, Nanning, with Zhuhai, a coastal city in Guangdong Province, reducing travel times and boosting regional economic integration.
The Yulin-Cenxi section, with its 350 km/h design speed, is expected to cut travel time between Yulin and Cenxi to around 20 minutes, compared to about an hour by road. The full line, once completed, will provide a faster alternative for passengers traveling between Guangxi and the Pearl River Delta.
As testing proceeds, railway authorities will conduct a series of checks and adjustments, with the exact opening date to be announced after all tests are successfully completed. For now, the commencement of joint commissioning and testing signals that the section is on track for a near-term launch.
